In my never-ending search for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Venues in and around the NYC area, I can now at least say there are a few who still wave the headbanger flag proudly in Brooklyn.

Based in an unassuming spot in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, this darkly lit bar and live music venue does it right. Reasonably priced booze as compared to most NYC bars, super friendly bartenders and staff, a heavy metal DJ spinning a killer mix of old and new rocking tunes, some great memorabilia behind the bar, terrific photos and posters along the wall, and the prerequisite graffiti strewn bathroom. (OK, even though the loo was a dive, it was surprisingly pretty clean. Even the ladies approved – always a plus.)

Here’s wishing everyone a safe, happy, and healthy New Year. 2016 for many was just a total abomination of a year, and as we head into 2017 there is much trepidation and uneasiness of what the future holds in store. Yet, the new year also brings the opportunity for personal growth, renewed fortitude, and better times ahead. It’s times like these that good friends and loving family are much valued, and should be held close.

Life truly is short, and we only have a certain amount of time here on this planet. Stop procrastinating. Make a change. Do something worthwhile. Get healthy. Face your fears. Make a difference. Make amends. Love someone. Reach out. Put petty differences aside. Show you care. See the world. Lend a hand. Do something crazy. Stop worrying. Laugh more. Go for it.

Happy New Year to all! It’s been one a heck of a ride in 2015 hasn’t it?

Well, here we are fresh into the New Year and with 2015 in the rear view mirror I am looking forward to see what awaits me in the next twelve months. This past year has been one of many ups and down in my life. The passing of loved ones, completing another mudder race for charity, many food and drinking adventures with friends, travel abroad, work stress along with work success, attending concerts of my fav bands while seeing some play their last shows, Broadway events, friends getting married, along with many laughs, tears, trials and tribulations along the way. As always, my rock along the way keeping me honest, and on the straight and narrow has been my gal Stacey. Sometimes I wonder why she still sticks with me as I must be a lot to handle, but for some reason she puts up with my stubbornness and shenanigans. Guess she loves me and my crazy ways. Here’s to more fun in 2016!

Eat more salads. Yeah, I know it’s pretty basic and kind of cliché when Jan 1 comes around to start a diet but I really need to cut back on the meat and crappy food eating. Gotta get those greens in even if it means sacrificing my love of greasy crispy delicious bacon. Sigh.

Jump out of a plane, climb a volcano, surf in shark infested waters, complete the NYC Marathon, run with the bulls, kayak over a waterfall, have an extreme enema, find Waldo. Screw it. I’ll just have some deep-fried Oreos and a nap.

Christmas, yes, we are here again. There are those who embrace the holidays and those who shudder at the thought of them. Hey, at least it’s almost hitting 70 degrees here in NYC. In December. Yeah, there’s no such thing as global warming you say? Time to break out the mistletoe speedos and throw a shrimp on the barbie!

When someone offers you egg nog at a friend or family’s house you drink the nog. Especially if it has real booze in it. Because nog dammit! Don’t worry about the fat and calories. Just release your gluttonous desires and drink up! It’s Christmas time! Break out the sweatpants!

Oh, and if National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation or Elf is on TV you watch them. It’s tradition, and also because they are goofy fun. Why watch the depressing It’s a Wonderful Life when you can view Cousin Eddie driving Clark Griswold absolutely nuts. Pop open the Jack Daniels egg nog and drink it right out of the bottle. Squirrel! Continue reading The Zen of Egg Nog in a Griswold Christmas Kind of World→